On the afternoon of July 16, 2010, Rivero walked up to the victim in the case as he left a Chinese restaurant on the intersection of North Avenue and Jackson Avenue in Elizabeth, said Semper. Rivero brandished a knife, took the victim’s keys and forced the victim into his own car and made the victim drive to a local bank. While en route, the victim was able to escape the vehicle and contact police, said Semper.

Police found the abandoned vehicle a short time later and while on patrol, officers spotted Rivero several blocks away. He resisted arrest, but was eventually subdued and officers recovered a knife and the victim’s car keys, said Semper.

The jury took less than an hour to convict Rivero. He faces 30 years in prison when he sentenced in March.